The following letter to congregations of Florida is from the Rt Revd Leo Frade, the Bishop of the Diocese of Southeast Florida

"I know you are all eager to help those in our neighboring dioceses who have suffered such terrible devastation from Hurricane Charley.

We have been in touch with the Canons to the Ordinary in both affected dioceses, Southwest Florida and Central Florida, and they will continue to update us on the situations in their dioceses. The "news" page of the web site of the Diocese of Southwest Florida,

http://www.dioceseswfla.org

has informative reports on the damage and the needs in that diocese.

Tomorrow we will be sending a team with disaster relief and short-term mission experience to Southwest Florida to talk with people in those communities and assess what specific needs we might be able to address. We want to be able not only to help with immediate needs, but also to develop partnerships between congregations in our diocese and congregations in Southwest and Central Florida that will provide support and mutual ministry in the long months of recovery they are facing.

This Sunday, Aug. 22, I am asking that every parish in our diocese receive a special offering to go toward the aid we will be providing for our neighbors who have suffered such losses from this storm.

Most important, please continue to support with your prayers everyone affected by Hurricane Charley, and pray also for guidance and generous hearts in our efforts to help."